Convertible motion transmitting attachment for roller chains



Feb. 24, 1970 v s, PAT Rso 3,496,798

CONVERTIBLE MOTION TRANSMITTING ATTACHMENT FOR ROLLER CHAINS Filed March26, 1968 2 Fla?) I F G. 4 INVENTOR.

SIZPHEN PATMsoN United States Patent Ofiice 3,496,798 Patented Feb. 24,1970 3,496,798 CONVERTIBLE MOTION TRANSMITTING ATTACHMENT FOR ROLLERCHAINS Stephen Paterson, 4 Dartmouth St., Forest Hills Gardens, N.Y.11375 Filed Mar. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 716,152

Int. Cl. F16g 13/02 US. Cl. 74-568 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis invention relates generally to the field of roller chainattachments of a type adapted to be secured to individual links of aroller chain for the purpose of transmitting motion to a surface whichis free of interconnection with the chain, as the chain moves betweentwo or more sprockets upon which it is entrained. Devices of this typeare known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructionaldetails which permit improved operation.

Attachments of the above-described type normally consist of replacementlinks having mounting means thereon upon which projections, cams orother structures which extend laterally from the principal axis of thechain to engage articles to be moved parallel to the axis of the chainor to operate by a camming action fixed structures, such as switches,levers and the like.

In some applications, depending upon the nature of the operation beingperformed, it is desirable to render inactive some of the attachments ona given chain, while allowing others to remain in active position. Inprior art constructions, such adjustment normally requires the use oftools to either remove the attachments from the chain, or at least thestructures supported by the mounting means, and in other situations,where this is not practical, it is usual to partially disassemble thedevice with which the chain is used, to permit removal of the chain andthe substitution of another chain having the attachments in desiredlocations. Where such adjustments are frequent, the down time of themachine with which the chain is used is considerable, with a consequentloss in productive capacity and attendant waste of corresponding labortime.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention toprovide an improved attachment for use in conjunction with conventionalroller chains in which the above-mentioned disadvantages have beensubstantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedconvertible attachment chain having a pivotally mounted elongated fingerwhich may be selectively positioned in either an inactive location, inwhich the principal axis of the finger lies parallel to the axis of thechain, or in an active position, in which the principal axis is disposedsubstantially at a right angle with respect to said axis.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of structure ofthe above-mentioned type, in which adjustment may be performed manually,without the use of any tools, and by those possessed of only ordinaryskills.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedconvertible chain attachment in which the cost of fabrication may be ofa reasonably low order, with consequent Wide sale, distribution and use.

The objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will morefully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointedout in the appended claims.

Briefly stated, the disclosed embodiment comprises an outer flat memberextending between two adjacent ends of a pair of juxtaposed rollers, themember replacing one of the conventional link plates. An elongated fiatfinger member is pivotally secured for rotation about the axis of aspecial pivot pin which extends through the coaxially disposed roller.Detent means is provided for selectively maintaining the finger in aninactive position in which the axis of the finger lies parallel to theaxis of the chain, or in an active position, in which the axis of thefinger is substantially at right angles to that of the chain. The fingeris maintained within the detent means by resilient means associated withthe pivot pin, movement of the pin along its own axis serving toovercome the resilient means, and permit manual rotation of the fingerto the desired position. Thus, when a quantity of attachments areinstalled upon a standard chain at predetermined intervals, they may berapidly adjusted to-operative or inoperative position by such action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of my convertible attachment shown installed in astandard roller chain.

FIG. 2 is an opposite view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top view thereof showing the elongated finger locked in thefirst position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the elongated finger inposition for rotation.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4,there are shown, for purposes of illustration, standard link plates10,12, 22 and 24, rollers 14, pin 18, and retaining clip 38, as found inany commercial roller chain.

Also shown as the parts of my convertible attachment as they would beinstalled:

An outer flat member 16, having a flat recess section 26 providing aregister shoulder 8 and an elongated recessed section 28. This flatouter member replaces plate 24 at a selected location in the chain andoverlies two adjacent ends of two different corresponding plates 12.

An elongated flat finger 30, having a flat portion 30A and an elongatedportion 303 which rest fiat in the recesses 26 and 28 respectively ofthe outer fiat member 16 as a first position. A second position at whichportion 30B extends outward as shown in phantom in FIG. 2 and 30Alocates against register shoulder 8.

A leaf spring 34 which keeps the elongated flat finger 30 either in thefirst position or the second position.

A special pivot pin 18A with a large diameter head 36 at one end, a bodydiameter compatible with the bore in roller 14 and the bore in one endof outer flat member 16, a third diameter at the other end compatiblewith the bore in the elongated fiat finger 30 and a final diameter atthis end compatible with the required dimensions of a standardcommercial retaining ring.

A second special pivot pin 18B with a fiat head at one end compatiblewith the counterbore in the other end of outer flat member 16, a bodydiameter compatible with the bore in roller 14 and the bore in the sameend as above in outer flat member 16 and a final diameter compatiblewith the required dimensions of a standard retaining clip.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as neW and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. In an attachment for use with a conventional roller chain having aprincipal axis, and including a plurality of rollers, linking plates,and pins interconnecting said plates and said rollers, said attachmentserving as one of said linking plates, and including structure fortransmitting motion from said chain in a direction having a componentparallel to the axis of said chain upon movement of said chain alongsaid axis, the improvement comprising: said attachment having anelongated fiat finger memher having a principal axis and first andsecond ends, and interconnected for rotation to one end of one of saidpins for rotation therewith between a first position in Which theprincipal axis of said finger member lies parallel to the principal axisof said chain, and a second position in which said principal axis ofsaid finger member is at a substantial angle with respect to theprincipal axis of said chain.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including detent means formaintaining said finger member selectively in said first and secondpositions.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, said one of said pins beinglaterally shiftable with respect to the axis of said chain whereby saidfinger member may clear said detent means.

4. Structure in accordance with claim 3, including resilient meansurging said last-mentioned pin in a direction moving said finger memberinto contact with said detent means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 379,784 3/1888 Hill 745671,505,732 8/1924 Simon 198-157 2,869,708 1/1959 Nesseth 198158 2,870,9001/1959 Will 198157 XR JAMES A. WONG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

